Abstract
This paper presents a novel descriptive model for agency in videogames as communication. Literature pertaining to interactive works including videogames has identified the need to overcome dyadic perspectives of communication in such works. Research specifically to do with agency has called for agency to no longer be confused with freedom of action, for an integrated perspective of the player and the system, and for that relationship to be viewed as a conversation. The transactional model in this paper achieves this by proposing a nested hierarchy of levels of communication that operate as an implicit contract, negotiated between the system and the player, where the object of the transaction is bio-costs, effected through the signalling of the attainability of understandings. The paper describes research antecedents, a research agenda, the basis for the model, the model itself, examples of how the model can be used to describe videogame designs, and future research.
Highlights
This paper proposes multiple interconnected levels of communication as a theoretical model for the analysis of the agency of videogames
The model is an intermediate step between defining agency and deriving videogame design principles
Through its own unit of analysis, the model in this paper provides this for agency as communication in videogames – a behavioural-role that shifts according to the different levels of observation in the model
Summary
This paper proposes multiple interconnected levels of communication as a theoretical model for the analysis of the agency of videogames. The model is a means of following up on certain advances in research related to videogames and bringing them together in one framework. Chief among these advances are overcoming a dyadic perspective (alternating sender-receiver roles) of communication, holding an integrated user-system perspective, and treating agency as a conversation. The model is an intermediate step between defining agency and deriving videogame design principles (which is mentioned as prospective future research in the Conclusion to this paper). The what already exists (as discussed in the Background section of this paper); the model in this paper deals with how agency works as communication. If the stages of that communication are not alternating signal and response (dyadic communication), what are they, and how do they work? The levels in the model propose an answer to this question
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
